AFFORDABILITY
As your Assemblyman, my top priority will be addressing New York’s affordability crisis. Iwant my children and the next generation of families in the 64th Assembly District toplant their roots here, but our state’s high cost of living drives away families and youngprofessionals. We need real solutions for making New York more affordable andkeeping our communities vibrant, diverse, and welcoming for all.I am committed to:
1. Bringing down skyrocketing housing costs. Many hardworking New Yorkersstruggle to afford housing. Rents are high and buying a home is becomingunattainable. Almost 3 million New Yorkers spend over 30% of their householdincome on housing exceeding the common threshold of affordability and, in somefamilies, it’s over 50%.I will work to: Support efforts to increase affordable housing in our community Expand programs that help first-time home buyers afford a down payment Secure funding to better educate individuals and families on tenantprotections and home buying options
2. Supporting Small Businesses. Small business owners are faced with rising rents,taxes, and regulatory burdens, making it harder to keep their doors open andprovide local jobs.I will work to: Secure funding for small businesses in the district during the statebudgeting process Identify and cut the bureaucratic red tape that impacts permitting,licensing, and compliance Raise awareness to the resources available to small businesses such asthe Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers (EAC) program
3. Putting more money back in your pockets. High taxes are impacting workingfamilies, and the cost of utilities, food, and everyday essentials continues to rise,putting additional pressure on household budgets across the state.I will work to: Push for tax relief and responsible budgeting at the state level Hold private utility companies accountable for high costs and poor gridreliability
4. Supporting Job Growth. I want to ensure that all New Yorkers have good-payingjobs and can afford to build a future here.I will work to: Support workforce development initiatives Engage with Labor Unions to understand the challenges faced by theirmembersTRANSPORTATIONResidents of the 64th Assembly District continue to experience long travel times due totraffic congestion. In addition, our residents who commute off-island must haveaffordable transit options.As your Assemblyman, I will work to: Continue to secure funding for the Staten Island Resident Verrazzano Bridgediscount to keep the tolls at $2.75 Explore options to eliminate tolls on the Verrazzano Bridge Alleviate congestion and improve safety on Hylan Blvd. by conducting a study todivert traffic and expand the bus lanes Create a fast ferry dock in Great Kills to connect Staten Islanders to Brooklyn andManhattan Increase the service of express buses from Bay Ridge to ManhattanHEALTHCAREStaten Island University Hospital - North Campus is our healthcare lifeline in the 64thAssembly District. This hospital serves the medical needs of hundreds of thousands ofStaten Islanders including ER visits, delivering babies, providing rehabilitationprograms, and so much more.As your Assemblyman, I will work to: Fight for safe staffing at our local hospitals, especially at Staten Island UniversityHospital - North Campus Support funding to establish an NYC Health and Hospital Express Care UrgentCare on the East Shore of Staten Island to provide affordable healthcare optionsto residents Secure funding for new hospital equipment Support the implementation of EPIC to ensure smooth patient care PUBLIC SAFETYStaten Islanders should feel safe in their homes and when traveling to our localshopping plazas and small businesses. Car theft, burglary, and crimes against seniorcitizens continue to be an issue in our district. I am raising my family here, and I wantmy children to be safe on Staten Island and continue our family's legacy in this district.To address public safety issues, I will work to: Support the increased hiring of police officers for the 122 Precinct and expandthe Community Affairs department to have more officers on call to addressquality of life issues Push for the state to enhance retirement benefits for our first responders as anincentive to attract more of NY’s Finest Secure funding for enhanced technology for our law enforcement officers so theyhave the latest equipmentEDUCATIONAs the father of two boys who currently attend public schools in the district and as anactive member of the local PTA, I support public education and the retention of ourteacher workforce. Our teachers are the lifeline of our community, and they are at theforefront of shaping our future leaders. Our schools must be staffed properly, andteachers must be given the necessary financial support to ensure a positive learningenvironment for our children.I will work to: Support increased financial resources for our schools and ensure school districtsreceive the funding they deserve Support salary increases for teachers in 2027 when their contracts are up forrenewal Fund after-school programs and state-of-the-art recreational centers at ourschools so our students stay active and engaged and have access to both indoorand outdoor spaces Partner with nonprofits in the district to provide after-school programming tosupport both the students and their working parents PROTECTING OUR SHORELINEHurricane Sandy shook our community to its core. People lost family members, theirhomes, and so much more. We were promised a 4.5-mile seawall to mitigate floodingfrom natural disasters. Ten years after the project received its initial funding, we do notsee much progress. The work has experienced delays and is currently paused. Familiesand businesses have invested in the East Shore, but they will abandon the area if thereis no assurance of protection should another devastating hurricane strike Staten Island.As your Assemblyman, I won’t let this happen.I will work to: Engage with US Army Corps of Engineers and push for the seawall constructionto begin again Partner with Staten Island’s other elected officials to demand accountability and aconfirmed timeline for completion